The Continental AV1790 is an American V12 engine used in armored vehicles. Produced by Continental Motors, the AV1790 was used in a variety of limited production and pilot heavy tanks, including the M53 and M55 howitzers, and the T30, T34 and M103 tanks.
The AV1790 was put into service as the power plant for the Patton line of American medium tanks. The M46 Patton, an upgraded M26 Pershing, was the first of these to carry oneZaloga, S. (2000). M26/M46 Pershing Tank: 1943-1953, Osprey Publishing ltd. p. 35. . This was inherited by the M47 and M48 tanks. While the performance of the engines was satisfactory, the fuel consumption rate became a critical shortcoming as tank weight increased.
As a result there were also diesel versions developed (AVDS, Air Cooled, V-engine configuration, Diesel, Superturbocharged) for the M48A3 and M60 tanks, and the Swedish Stridsvagn 104 (UK-built Centurions, re-engined with diesel engines in the 1980s).
The AV 1790 would continue to be widely used as a power plant in US tracked vehicles and tractors throughout the Cold War, and remains in service across many countries today.
Engines prefixes
The engine prefixes are: A-Air cooled V-Vee cylinder arrangement D-Diesel S-Supercharged 1790-Displacement in Cubic Inches
Specifications
+General characteristicsType:90 degree four-stroke V12 Bore:5.75 in (146.05 mm) Stroke: 5.75 in (146.05 mm) Displacement: 1791.7 cu in (29 361 cc) Cooling: forced air cooling
Gasoline versions
AV-1790-3AV-1790-5CAV-1790-7C Power output (gross)810 hp at 2800 rpm810 hp at 2800 rpm810 hp at 2800 rpmPower output (net)704 hp (525 kW) at 2800 rpm650 hp (485 kW) at 2400 rpm690 hp (515 kW) at 2800 rpmTorque (net): at 2200 rpm at 2100 rpm at 2200 rpmBSFCPower-to-weight ratioSuperchargernoFuel systemcarburetorFuel type80 octane gasoline (petrol)80 octane gasoline80 octane gasolineIgnitionmagnetoCompression ratio6.5:1 Dry weight2332 lb (1058 kg)2554 lb (1158 kg)2647 lb (1200 kg)
Diesel versions +DesignationWeight, dryHorsepower, grossHorsepower, netTorque, grossTorque, netCompression ratioInduction turbocharged airflowFuel typeFuel consumption (at 2400 RPM)UseNoteAVDS-1790-2Aat 2,400 rpmat 2,400 rpmat 1,900 rpmat 1,750 rpm16:12075 cfmDF-A, DF-1, DF-2296 lbs / hourM60, M60A1, M728, M60 AVLB, retrofitted to M47 & M48original seriesAVDS-1790-2ACfor CenturionAVDS-1790-2ARM88AVDS-1790-2CM60A1, M60A3, M60 AVLBAVDS-1790-2DM60, M60A1, retrofitted to M48A3 & M48A5AVDS-1790-2DRM88A1AVDS-1790-2CCfor CenturionAVDS-1790-2DCfor CenturionAVDS-1790-5Aat 2,400 rpmat 2,400 rpmat 2000 rpm14.5:12,200 cfm380 lbs / hourMerkava Mk. I, Magach 7AVDS-1790-6AMerkava Mk. II, NakpadonAVDS-1790-7AMerkava Mk. IIAVDS-1790-8Aat 2,400 rpmat 2,400 rpmat 1,900 rpm2,450 cfm430 lbs / hourAVDS-1790-8CRM88A2AVDS-1790-9Aat 2,400 rpmat 2,400 rpmat 1,900 rpm2,800 cfm480 lbs / hourAVDS-1790-9ARMerkava Mk. IIIAVDS-1790 1500at 2,600 rpmat 1,800 rpmJP-8, DF-A, DF-1, DF-2570 lbs / hour
References
Sources Hunnicutt, R. P. Firepower: A History of the American Heavy Tank. Novato, California: Presidio Press, 1988.
External links Air Cooled Diesel Tank Engines by Teledyne Continental Motors